Still livin’ on the Superbowl high … had to post another Saints photo today because nothing happened today nearly as interesting as yesterday! Geaux Saints!
So this town has just gone stark raving crazy! It’s wonderful. Every where you turn people are saying that the Saints’ win is more than just a win for the team – its a wonderful symbol that New Orleans is on its way back. People are being nicer to one another, I rarely hear about a murder on the news these days … I’d like to believe that they just aren’t occurring, as opposed to the news just not reporting them. But then again, it is “all Saints, all the time” these days. Nonetheless, UNO pep rallies culminated today with a certain secret someone (Dr. Chacko) wearing a dress in honor of the great Buddy D! Then, in an unprecedented move, the student body received a text message that the university was closing at 1:00 p.m. so that everyone could attend the Saints parade. Wow! What a parade …. I can’t remember seeing crowds that thick at Mardi Gras. There was a lot of love out there in dem streets! Thank you, Boys!
I particularly like this photo of the Saints players on a Rex float … consider that this may be the only time you see this float photographed at night!
Well the Saints have won the Superbowl, and Jenny scored, too, as she got into the snack tray when we stepped outside to revel in the fireworks! Neighborhood is going crazy. Who Dat? What a glorious day for New Orleans!
Fell asleep last night before I got to post a photo so I decided to catch up today by posting two. There is so much going on around town these days, it’s hard to decide what to highlight. Anyhow, first photo was taken in the neighborhood while out and about today. Saints mania has taken the New Orleans metro area by storm. There is a reference to the Saints in every nook and cranny of this town. I’m not sure what this city is going do after tomorrow, as the Saints’ trek to the Superbowl has completely consumed us for the last two weeks. Given where everybody’s head (and hearts have been) it is hard to believe that a major election managed to squeeze itself into the fray of all the hubub … but it did. I know that this photo sucks, but the moment was just too good not to document. New Orleans has elected its first white mayor in since 1978 … who cares what color he is as long as he’s effective. Hey, I hear that pigs have flown and hell has frozen over, so I’m game for believing that anything can happen! Geaux Mitch, Geaux Saints, Who dat?!
I knew when I started this project there would be hectic days when I’d be scrambling for a photo, but I didn’t think it would happen so soon! I had to teach tonight, so I looked around the house for the most interesting thing I could find. The wine and cork collection are always a sure bet; albeit I just don’t think that screw tops have nearly the same intrigue as corks.
I don’t care how bad of a day I may be having, seeing these guys’ enthusiasm and what they do to bring so much joy to the student body at UNO really makes me happy. I wish I could just “plug in” to people like that and get a charge of their positive energy! They carried out the Saints pep rally again today, complete with a float and kingcakes.
Today, the groundhog saw his shadow, but even the threat of six more weeks of winter cannot dampen the spirits of the UNO faculty and staff. Saints mania has reached a feverish pitch as the Saints pep rally continues at 10:50 daily!
This is a shot I’ve wanted to do for a long time. I think this one is going to become a new greeting card – with proceeds to go to the CJD Foundation.
To
day is my 49th Birthday … I am one trip around the sun from having lived half a century. That seems so old in some contexts, yet so young in so many others. Regardless, I really don’t mind getting older, as long as I continue to get wiser, and better, as I amble through the journey.
Today is also the day my dad died, one year ago. I would like to believe he had done everything he had ever wanted to do before he went … but I’m not so sure about that. Birthdays, “death days” … both make you examine your very existence and mentally recount those items that are on your “bucket list”. I want to make sure that when my time comes to slip into the “Great Beyond” I have no doubt that I’ve done everything I ever wanted and achieved those things important to me. I have a good start … I have really great kids, and I finally earned about as many degrees as I think I can stand. Those were my goals for the longest time. I have new ones now.
I’m getting married this year! That’s something I’ve really wanted for a long time, and it will finally happen before I’m 50. I’ve also wanted to improve as a photographer for a very long time, too. So my 49th year is going to become the year of the commitments: not only will I make a major one to my fiance this year, but right here and now I’m also going to make a commitment to myself to become a better photographer this year. I plan to post a photo a day this 49th year in an attempt at growth and improvement. I’m quite anxious to see where this journey will take me. Happy birthday, to me! I’ve made my wish … now blow!
The Saints Fan
“You get back what you give” leaped from the computer screen and grabbed my attention as I glanced across what seemed like the one millionth eHarmony profile I had read. I was growing weary of the process, becoming dissatisfied with the results and was just about ready to throw in the towel and sign off for good, when this little glimmer of hope flashed itself before my eyes. “What a deal,” I thought … “a guy with a passion for life, a penchant for art, and a predisposition for giving, to boot!” Hence, my interest was piqued and shortly thereafter, I actually met this wonderful, giving soul who will become my husband in July of this year. My initial impression has been confirmed over and over again as I observe my fiancé generously give of himself to assist anyone in need. But this week he quite literally gave a piece of himself as he fulfilled a nearly year long endeavor to give his hair to those who have none.
“I want to give my hair to the children” he would insist every time I complained about his hair. He was referring to Locks of Love, an organization that provides human hair wigs for children who have lost their hair for various reasons. However, Locks of Love requires that a ponytail be 10”, a rather ambitious goal to achieve with an upcoming wedding and an ever impatient fiancée. “Then let me donate it to the women!”, he pleaded, referring to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program which makes wigs for women who have lost their hair to cancer. Pantene’s program requires hair to be at least 8 inches long. At last, I was elated to learn about the Pink Heart Funds, a program brought to light by Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts when she bravely underwent a very public fight against breast cancer in 2007. Pink Heart Funds provides free wigs for children and adults who have lost their hair due to illness or cancer treatment. And the best part is, they accept ponytails from 6″ on up.
So Pink Heart Funds it is! It’s a win/win situation for all … the women and children get the hair, he gets to give of himself, and I get my handsome sweetie back!
Dear Pink Heart Funds,
Please accept these ponytails to make wigs for the women and children who need them, and ask them to wear them with love. They were donated from one of the most giving, loving hearts I have ever known!
Shutterbug Diva
